STG Engineering Denies Reports of Losing Tartous Port Contract in Syria
STG Engineering refutes claims of losing its contract for Syria’s Tartous port, asserting that its operations are ongoing. The CEO emphasized that no formal annulment notification exists, making it impossible to terminate the agreement unilaterally. Misunderstandings regarding the contractor’s identity arose, with Stroytransgaz clarifying its lack of involvement in the port management. Russia continues to negotiate for its military bases in Syria, underlining its strategic presence in the region.
STG Engineering, the Russian operator responsible for managing Syria’s Tartous commercial port, officially denied recent media claims regarding the termination of its contract. The company asserted that its operations remain unaffected, contrary to reports suggesting that Syria’s new administration had annulled the agreement originally established under former President Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Moscow last December following a rebel offensive.
In January, several Syrian businessmen and some media outlets reported that the contract was canceled. Reporting from the semi-official Syrian newspaper Al-Watan indicated that the head of Tartous customs, Riad Joudy, had mentioned the annulment was due to STG failing to meet the investment criteria of the 2019 deal, which mandated infrastructure improvements.
However, Dmitry Trifonov, the CEO of STG Engineering, clarified that the company continues to manage the port and has not received any formal notification regarding the cancellation of the contract. He pointed out that such a termination process would involve a lengthy bureaucratic procedure if it were to occur. “It is impossible to terminate the agreement unilaterally, because it has been ratified by both the president and the parliament, and no one has notified us,” Trifonov remarked.
He emphasized that any declarations regarding the cancellation lack a legitimate basis, as they would necessitate the involvement of both parliamentary and presidential actions. Additionally, media misattributed the contract to STG Stroytransgaz, a separate construction company, which clarified that it does not have any connection to STG Engineering in relation to the port contract.
Furthermore, Russia is reportedly engaged in discussions with Syria’s new authorities in order to safeguard its naval base in Tartous, as well as its Hmeimim air base located near Latakia. The Tartous facility serves as Russia’s sole Mediterranean repair and replenishment hub and plays a crucial role in transporting military contractors to and from Africa.
In summary, STG Engineering’s continued management of Tartous port illustrates the complexities surrounding contracts in international relations, particularly amid the changing political landscape in Syria. The company’s assertion that their agreement is intact, coupled with their clarifications about the misattribution to STG Stroytransgaz, highlights the need for precise communication in such matters. Russia’s strategic interests in Syria remain significant, reflecting its broader military objectives in the region.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
